Running away from our problems won't change anything. To truly change, we must recognize and embrace our true selves. When we rise above the surface, our goals, thoughts, words, and ways of living transform. The cycle of desire is never-ending, constantly propelling us toward more. Today we want one thing, tomorrow another. The priority has shifted to establishing dominance in every aspect of life. Some even aspire to divinity to bask in adulation, especially among religious leaders. Yet, no one is willing to simply be human.
Recently, I read a story by an author. It began intriguingly. A character lying on river grass said, "I want to become Buddha." Initially, I was surprised that someone in the modern age would aspire to become Buddha. Later, I understood that his desire stemmed from an inability to live the life he wanted, reflecting a tendency to escape one's existence. He no longer wanted to be who he was. He was desperate to become what he couldn't be.
This topic delves into spirituality and philosophy. Indian philosophy holds answers to all of life's questions. However, we must remember that our philosophy speaks of the soul, not the body. Wherever you are, remain rooted in your soul. Here, the body becomes secondary. The soul and the supreme soul reside within. Yet, despite studying and listening to scriptures, we often fail to grasp the truth.
There is an anecdote about Swami Ramteerth's return from a foreign trip. The king of Tehri Garhwal asked him a question he had posed to countless saints and ascetics over twenty years but never received a satisfactory answer. The question was, "Why, despite thousands of years of devotion, worship, and construction of religious places, do we not see the supreme soul? Can you show a way to witness the supreme soul?" This question persists today. Swami Ji indicated that the answer must be sought within oneself. Self-realization is the path. This journey is ours to embark on.
The biggest obstacle in realizing the soul and the supreme soul are the ingrained impressions we accumulate in our subconscious. Regardless of our beliefs, as long as we are entrenched in preconceived notions, we will not witness the soul or the supreme soul. We will only see those impressions, which yield nothing. The Shanti Parva of the Mahabharata states that the soul, free from the sensory organs, action organs, body, mind, and intellect, is the supreme soul. The supreme soul is the highest state of the soul. If we wish to be like Buddha, Mahavira, or Christ, we must first liberate ourselves from the image that formed their persona. This means we must create our own identity. But before that, we must establish our identity as human beings.
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